View Full Version : Trail Magic
Having section hiked from New Jersey to Katahdin over the past several years, I really enjoyed the good will of people along the way. Trail angels and trail magic always helped to make the hike more memorable.
That being said, this year, I'd like to pay that forward and plan on setting up a small hiker feed in Southern Vermont for a day in August . I'm looking for any advice that other who have done this could give me about what to serve, good locations in Southern Vermont, how many people to expect, etc. Anything that you think might be helpful.
Thanks, Eureka.
4158341584
do it at a road crossing - not on the trail itself
police the garbage not only at the feed but up and down the trail, make damm sure that your feed leaves no trace
have fun any food/drink would be welcome
This is the wrong place to ask about it. You are gonna get blasted by those who see trail magic as a bad thing. This group that will blast you are are the dayhikers car campers who are quite numerous on this web page. The thru-hikers will thank you
rocketsocks
01-15-2018, 13:37
This is the wrong place to ask about it. You are gonna get blasted by those who see trail magic as a bad thing. This group that will blast you are are the dayhikers car campers who are quite numerous on this web page. The thru-hikers will thank you...and this comment strengthens your position how?
Lone Wolf
01-15-2018, 13:43
This is the wrong place to ask about it. You are gonna get blasted by those who see trail magic as a bad thing. This group that will blast you are are the dayhikers car campers who are quite numerous on this web page. The thru-hikers will thank you
i'm a thru-hiker and not a fan of big, organized feeds
do it at a road crossing - not on the trail itself
police the garbage not only at the feed but up and down the trail, make damm sure that your feed leaves no trace
have fun any food/drink would be welcome
I'm a trail maintainer as well on the NET and I'm as concerned about trash on the trails as you are.
I'm a trail maintainer as well on the NET and I'm as concerned about trash on the trails as you are.
then as i said have fun, the crossing at rt 9 looks like a possible spot, big parking lot, restroom...
I never thought of any hikers not liking something to eat besides Ramon noodles and power bars but I guess they can just hike on by if they don't like it.
ldsailor
01-15-2018, 14:24
I'd like to pay that forward and plan on setting up a small hiker feed in Southern Vermont for a day in August . I'm looking for any advice that other who have done this could give me about what to serve, good locations in Southern Vermont, how many people to expect, etc. Anything that you think might be helpful.
As you have already seen by some of the previous comments, you just opened a can of worms. Personally, I like trail magic, but my opinion of whether it is good or not is in flux due to the response to a thread I started last year. Take a look at the thread (link below) to see why.
"ATC Says Trail Magic is Bad for the Trail (https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/125884-ATC-Says-Trail-Magic-is-Bad-for-the-Trail?highlight=)"
How about small, unexpected trail magic?
Haha, I know! But I sure enjoyed the soda on the trail in Dalton, MA, or the cookie lady or the guy in Vermont giving out ice cream (I heard he passed away last year) I'll do it for the people that will appreciate it.
Slo-go'en
01-15-2018, 15:48
I'd pick a less traveled road crossing then RT-9. Don't advertise, just set up someplace, but figuring out exactly where could be tricky. If your too close to a shelter, those who were there in the morning will have gone past before lunch and you might be too far away for those coming from the next shelter south.
Hot dogs, chips and cheap soda is a common fare.
I've come across people waiting on the side of the road for a hiker to come by and end up being the only one they've seen all day. Even though I know I can't waste time with them, it's hard to say thanks but no thanks and push on. They so want to feed you something it seems rude not to accept anything.
AllDownhillFromHere
01-15-2018, 15:54
Small, unexpected, and unmanned trail magic is the best. I've had weird experiences walking out into a setup where the person is standing there. They are clearly angling for thanks, and epic war stories, when often all you want to do is eat a free snickers and drink a free beer in peace.
I found a cooler of waterbottles and cupcakes about a mile from a trailhead once. It was awesome.
Small, unexpected, and unmanned trail magic is the best. I've had weird experiences walking out into a setup where the person is standing there. They are clearly angling for thanks, and epic war stories, when often all you want to do is eat a free snickers and drink a free beer in peace.
I found a cooler of waterbottles and cupcakes about a mile from a trailhead once. It was awesome.
Yes, that was my original thought, just have some quick things they can have and be on their way. I was thinking of setting up a few miles North of a shelter but not is a busy area. I understand your "unmanned" statement. It lets you enjoy in peace.
chknfngrs
01-15-2018, 16:49
I set up a cooler right next to the trail. No sign. Some people walked by it. Some people stopped and participated in the contents of the cooler and friendly conversation. No pressure and no worries if you don’t stop. Anything more seems awkward.
I set up a cooler right next to the trail. No sign. Some people walked by it. Some people stopped and participated in the contents of the cooler and friendly conversation. No pressure and no worries if you don’t stop. Anything more seems awkward.
I like that idea. I'll probably do something along those lines. Thanks for the input.
Lone Wolf
01-15-2018, 19:18
never leave food/drinks unattended
evyck da fleet
01-15-2018, 20:43
I thought about leaving a cooler for hikers when I finished my thru. As time passed, I realized I would have liked less hiker feeds and coolers during my trip. I decided against it in lieu of providing trail maintenance or support. It was pretty easy to get town food at least every other day from the Hudson River until the Maine border.
I said thank you the one time someone was leaving as I arrived but didn’t feel like holding court since I still had 500 miles to go. Funny they left it in a plastic grocery bag on a branch and seemed more worried about what hikers liked as opposed to whether anyone was going to carry out the trash.
A sign pointing to some cold beers/sodas in the river is cool too. Trail Magic on, I think it's great and brightens up people's days.
chknfngrs
01-15-2018, 21:28
never leave food/drinks unattended
Definitely best practice to tend to whatever you put out there.
chknfngrs
01-15-2018, 21:30
Definitely best practice to tend to whatever you put out there.
I was no more than 50 yards from it, fwiw
When you've just hiked 5, 10, 15, 20 miles and you get to the trailhead and there is free food, soda, beer, etc, few people who walk up on that happenstance will think its a bad idea. Matter of fact, you could probably go just about anywhere, hiking related or not and there will always be someone glad to take advantage of it. But there are also a lot of internet campers that want to philosophize about it.
I'm a trail maintainer as well on the NET and I'm as concerned about trash on the trails as you are.
Then you are already doing the best trail magic you can do. thank you.
The Kisco Kid
01-16-2018, 11:24
Then you are already doing the best trail magic you can do. thank you.
I second that!
Gambit McCrae
01-16-2018, 11:33
Find a stretch of trail that is in drought, and bring gallons of water to a nearest TH. I would much rather have water when I need it then a cookout when I have food I have been carrying for days in my backpack. Not saying I am going to turn down those 2 hot dogs but water is one of my favorite trail magics
-Water
-Assortment of medicals like leuko tape wrapped around a lighter about 10 times.
-Wet wipes/ TP replacement
-A battery charging station
-Maybe if you are stationed close to a town you could solicit a ride to hikers into town when you pack up at the end of the day
rocketsocks
01-16-2018, 11:43
Find a stretch of trail that is in drought, and bring gallons of water to a nearest TH. I would much rather have water when I need it then a cookout when I have food I have been carrying for days in my backpack. Not saying I am going to turn down those 2 hot dogs but water is one of my favorite trail magics
-Water
-Assortment of medicals like leuko tape wrapped around a lighter about 10 times.
-Wet wipes/ TP replacement
-A battery charging station
-Maybe if you are stationed close to a town you could solicit a ride to hikers into town when you pack up at the end of the day
This is some of the best advice I’ve heard on the situa...matter!
Starchild
01-16-2018, 12:51
It has been somewhat mentioned but plan your location carefully and time it correctly. Use the weather to your advantage. If it's raining for a few days hikers will tend to group at towns, then go when the weather breaks. If you have a section with limited shelters, hikers will tend to be there, so you can time yoru feed to their crossing if your road.
Highland Goat
01-17-2018, 08:10
i'm a thru-hiker and not a fan of big, organized feeds
Agreed.
You might consider offering rides to hikers. Many people would appreciate help picking up a mail drop in Danby, or a lift to the Price Chopper in Manchester Center. I prefer Bennington to Manchester or Williamstown, but I suspect I am in the minority.
Digger'02
01-18-2018, 12:12
Having section hiked from New Jersey to Katahdin over the past several years, I really enjoyed the good will of people along the way. Trail angels and trail magic always helped to make the hike more memorable.
That being said, this year, I'd like to pay that forward and plan on setting up a small hiker feed in Southern Vermont for a day in August . I'm looking for any advice that other who have done this could give me about what to serve, good locations in Southern Vermont, how many people to expect, etc. Anything that you think might be helpful.
Thanks, Eureka.
4158341584
If you are really interested in paying it forward check out the Konnarock Trail Crew.